Torchlight II is now available, offering the second installment in this action/RPG series from Runic Games, a developer that boasts some of the creators of the original Diablo (there's an interview on IncGamers with Matt Uelmen talking about the old days of Blizzard North). Joystiq has word from Runic CEO Max Schaefer that the company is working on an OS X edition of the game, but that they are reconsidering plans for an MMO version of Torchlight. Here's his convoluted explanation: "We're waiting to do the Mac port of Torchlight 2, and fix whatever launch issues we have, and then decide after we've had a good night's sleep or three. It is likely that nothing that would be called an MMO is the next thing we do, though, but that's not 100 percent certain." Travis Baldree elaborates on Reddit: "I'll be frank, we have no plans to jump into that right now. The landscape is a little different than a few years ago, and creating the amount of content we did for Torchlight 2 was a supreme effort with a team this size. Taking on an MMO immediately afterward is not our current desire." Torchlight II is available on the Official Website and through Steam, and they each also offer a playable demo (thanks Frans), though there are no details on what this includes. Here's how the game is described:

The award-winning action RPG is back, bigger and better than ever! Torchlight II takes you back into the quirky, fast-paced world of bloodthirsty monsters, bountiful treasures, and sinister secrets - and, once again, the fate of the world is in your hands!

Torchlight II captures all the flavor and excitement of the original game - while expanding the world and adding the features players wanted most, including online and LAN co-op multiplayer. Torchlight II is fast, fun, and filled to the brim with action and loot. Adventure solo or online with your friends!

Verno wrote on Sep 21, 2012, 08:48:I have to say, I'm shocked at how good this game is. I was one of the people really down on the original Torchlight, it was a very average and bland experience that was easily won and done in a weekend. This is an improvement in every way possible. The overworld additions are well done and give it a real sense of scale. The randomization is well implemented and the game has a surprising amount of secrets and neat things to dig up. It has offline, online and LAN play! The skill trees aren't the boring shit we saw from the first game or in beta, they made them very compelling and there a huge number of build possibilities.

I can't believe this is $20 and Diablo 3 is $60. They have one upped it in every way except price. Kudos to Runic, I just hope their sales aren't impacted by GW2 and BL2.

I have to agree with you, I was happily surprised at how good the game is and fun. And I was even more surprised that you donít have to wade through each difficulty by beating the game just to get to the next difficulty level. That was awesome. Playing an engineer and really liking her hitting power. I did try the wizard and the Berserker; those were ok, but not as fun as the Engineer.

I bought the four packs on Steam, got the nice discount for it and gave my lan party friends theirs, I also bought one other copy because I wanted to get into the Neverwinter beta. I got both of those cd keys in an email Thursday. Canít wait to try out Neverwinter.